Who may collect beach-found parts?
Alaska Natives: Federal regulations provide for the collection of the bones, teeth, and ivory of dead marine mammals found on public lands within 1/4 mile of the ocean. Beach-found parts must be tagged by the USFWS within 30 days. Alaska Native people are allowed to sell or trade beach found parts to other Alaska Natives once tagged, and/or convert them into authentic Alaska Native handicrafts for sale to non-Alaska Native people.
Non-Alaska Natives: Federal regulations allow non-Alaska Native people to collect the bones, teeth, and ivory of dead marine mammals* found on public lands within 1/4 mile of the ocean. The term ocean includes bays and estuaries. Parts may not be collected from the ocean. Beach-found parts must be tagged by the USFWS within 30 days. After tagging, non-Alaska Native people are allowed to possess beach-found parts, but are not allowed to sell, barter or trade them to other individuals.
*Only bones, teeth, or ivory from walrus, polar bear and sea otter (except from the Southwest Alaska sea otter stock, which is protected under the Endangered Species Act), may be collected by non-Alaska Natives. Other parts from these animals may not be collected. The National Marine Fisheries Service has responsibility for managing whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises. For information on these species, contact NMFS.
Where can beach-found parts be collected?
Regulations vary depending on land ownership. It's the collector’s responsibility to know whose lands they are visiting. Collectors should check for additional regulations established by landowners (Federal, State, or private) before removing any resource. Collection of all animal parts (including marine mammals) is prohibited on National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands (National Wildlife Refuges).
What parts may be collected?
Only bones, teeth, or ivory from walrus, polar bear and sea otter (except from the Southwest Alaska sea otter stock, which is protected under the Endangered Species Act), may be collected. Other parts from these animals may not be collected.
Are there reporting requirements for beach-found parts?
Collected parts from northern sea otters, polar bears, and Pacific walrus must be presented to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representative for registration and tagging. Parts must be registered within 30 days. Once these parts are registered, they cannot be sold, traded, or given away without permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Call the Service's Alaska Inspection Office at 907-271-6198 to register beach-found parts.
What about other marine mammals?
The National Marine Fisheries Service has responsibility for managing whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises. For information on these species, contact NMFS.
What about fossil ivory?
Fossil ivory (including walrus, mammoth and mastodon), archeological, and paleontological materials are regulated by an array of Federal and State laws and these items may not be collected on any State of Federal public lands. Fossil ivory may be collected on private lands with permission of the landowner. Fossil ivory collected on private lands is not regulated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and doesn't have to be registered.
